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Part 4: We the People
Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in The 57 Bus, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Gender and Sexuality
Adolescent Crime vs. Adult Crime
Binary Thought and Inclusive Language
Discrimination and Social Justice
Accountability, Redemption, and Forgiveness
Summary
Analysis
In April, Nemo is Sasha’s date for an annual dance held downtown. Sasha wears a beautiful, flowing gown and Nemo wears a “Edwardian waistcoat” with “pleated black pants.” When Teah’s dog gets too close, Sasha shoos it away. “I’m dry-clean only,” they say. Nemo asks if they mean their dress is dry-clean only, and Sasha says, “Well, I effectively am my dress. On the outside.” Nemo looks to Sasha. “Are you?” they say. “You’re also skin and your necklace.”
Nemo’s comment reminds Sasha that there is more to them than their skirt and nonbinary gender. In addition to being skin and a necklace, Sasha is also Nemo’s “most important person,” and they have other redeemable qualities as well.
Themes
